RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS FOR END CONSUMERS - Making heating and cooling for European consumers efficient ...
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RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING
REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
Making heating and cooling for European consumers
efficient, economically resilient, clean and climate-friendly
Publication information:
Report T4.2
Project Coordinator: Austrian Energy Agency – AEA
Work Package 4 Leader Organization: WIP Renewable Energies
Authors: Benedetta Di Costanzo, WIP Renewable Energies
Ingo Ball, WIP Renewable Energies
Dominik Rutz, WIP Renewable Energies
With contributions by: Herbert Tretter, Austrian Energy Agency
Franz Zach, Austrian Energy Agency
With thanks to: The Consortium of the REPLACE project
Project coordination and editing provided by Austrian Energy Agency.
Publication date: March 2021.
This document is available on: www.replace-project.eu
This project has received
funding from the European
Union´s Horizon 2020
research and innovation
programme under grant
agreement No. 847087.
Disclaimer:
Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be
made of the following information. The views expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.
Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The aim of the REPLACE project is to motivate and support people in target regions of nine different countries to replace their old heating systems with more environmentally friendly alternatives or to implement simple renovation measures that reduce overall energy consumption of the buildings. In order to support consumers in making the right replacement choice, this report provides a practical guide to end-users who are considering replacing their heating system or undertaking an energy efficiency measure in their home. The report will give them useful information on the economic, environmental and social benefits of replacing an old and inefficient heating system with an innovative low-carbon and renewable one. Additionally, the report advises on the steps that every informed consumer should take before and during the replacement process and answers the most common questions that end-users ask in this context. Finally, the report presents a comprehensive list of the renewable heating and cooling technologies currently available on the European market through concise and illustrated technology factsheets. Today there is a myriad of heating solutions that you can choose from: while non-renewable technologies running on fossil fuels exist and are still available on the market, this report only covers and addresses heating & cooling systems which make use of renewable energy sources. This report is part of the activities of Work Package 4 “Preparation of instruments for replacement campaigns” of the REPLACE project and will be also available on the REPLACE website in 10 languages.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION TO THE REPLACE PROJECT ................................................................................. 1
1. WHY SHOULD I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM? .................................................................. 3
Environmental benefits ................................................................................................................................. 4
Economic benefits ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Social benefits................................................................................................................................................ 5
2. HOW DO I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM?.......................................................................... 6
3. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS ............................................... 9
4. WHAT ARE MY REPLACEMENT OPTIONS? .......................................................................... 29
BIOMASS BOILERS FOR WOOD PELLETS ...................................................................................................... 30
BIOMASS BOILERS FOR LOGWOOD ............................................................................................................. 34
BIOMASS HEATING SYSTEMS WITH WOODCHIPS ....................................................................................... 37
MODERN WOOD STOVES ............................................................................................................................ 41
MODERN PELLET STOVES ............................................................................................................................ 43
ELECTRIC HEAT PUMPS ................................................................................................................................ 46
SOLAR THERMAL.......................................................................................................................................... 51
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER FOR HEATING ....................................................................................................... 54
RENEWABLE-BASED DISTRICT HEATING ...................................................................................................... 57
RENEWABLE MECHANICAL (ACTIVE) COOLING ........................................................................................... 61
MULTIFUNCTIONAL FAÇADE SYSTEMS ........................................................................................................ 64
5. OTHER HEATING OPTIONS ................................................................................................. 67
5.1. Collective actions ............................................................................................................................. 67
5.2. Boilers and cooling units check measures ....................................................................................... 68
5.3. Shading and insulation .................................................................................................................... 71
5.4. Infra-red heating systems ................................................................................................................ 72
5.5. “Demand response ready” measures .............................................................................................. 73
ANNEX I: HEATING & COOLING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ........................................................ 75
LIST OF REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 78
GLOSSARY AC air conditioning system CHP Combined Heat and Power COP Coefficient of Performance DH District Heating EU European Union GHG Greenhouse gas HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning H&C Heating & Cooling kW Kilowatt kWel Kilowatt Electricity kWth Kilowatt Thermal PV Photovoltaic PV/T combined photovoltaic and solar thermal collectors (R)HC (Renewable) Heating and Cooling RES Renewable Energy Source SPF Seasonal Performance Factor
INTRODUCTION TO THE REPLACE PROJECT
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INTRODUCTION TO THE REPLACE PROJECT
REPLACE is a European project with the aim of informing and motivating people in nine different countries
to replace old and inefficient heating systems in residential buildings with environmentally friendly
alternatives. Funded under the EU Horizon 2020 programme for three years (2019 – 2022), REPLACE
develops and implements boiler and oven replacement campaigns to support changes towards achieving
the climate targets and making Europe independent of oil, coal and natural gas.
Half of Europe's energy consumption is used for heating or cooling. However, two thirds of the heating
systems installed in Europe (80 million units) are inefficient. Usually, these outdated heating systems are
only replaced when they fail completely during use or are about to fail. This often leaves no time for
informed decisions or for a change of the energy source. The challenge is that the amount of information
required for a switch is high: many questions have to be clarified and different actors need to be consulted.
Often, people have difficulties to afford the high initial investment costs of low-CO2 systems, even if the life
cycle costs are already significantly lower and much less risky than for systems running on conventional
energy sources.
REPLACE wants to tackle those and other local challenges and barriers by developing and testing locally
adapted, tailor-made replacement campaigns across ten European pilot regions with a total population of 8
million. Specifically, the project targets consumers, investors/owners as well as intermediaries, like
installers, chimney sweepers, energy advisors and consultants, and helps them to make well-informed
decisions. Simple renovation measures that pay-off quickly as they reduce overall space heating
consumption for a low investment and which are implemented as coordinated community actions are also
part of the programme.
REPLACE develops efficient and strongly service-oriented campaigns as well as user-friendly information
tools. It identifies requirements for the implementation of actions concerning infrastructure, regulations
and legislation by investigating stakeholders’ mind-sets and their needs. Lessons learnt from previous
projects are taken into consideration and action plans for each pilot region are being implemented.
2 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
The replacement campaigns are to be launched and supported by the project partners and by local working
The replacement campaigns are to be launched and supported by the project partners and by local working
groups, bringing public authorities, end consumers, installers, chimney sweepers, energy consultants,
equipment manufacturers, energy supply companies, policy makers and other key players to one table.
Together, they will design comprehensive, locally adapted effective action packages tackling the main
barriers and challenges end consumers and installers face when boilers or ovens shall be replaced.
REPLACE’s primary objectives are to:
understand the heat markets as well as the mind-sets and needs of end consumers, intermediaries
(like installers, chimney sweepers, energy advisers) and investors,
identify and reduce market barriers and to foster an enabling environment as well as better and
trustworthy services,
improve framework conditions, planning and investment security,
better inform all stakeholders of the benefits of a heating or cooling system replacement, according
to their information needs and preferred formats,
enable consumers to take informed decisions, encouraging sustainable energy behaviour,
strengthen the trust of end consumers in intermediaries and in the reliability of renewable HC
systems and related (service) suppliers,
transfer know-how from more advanced to less advanced countries in this field, e.g. by training of
installers in South-Eastern European countries,
create and implement locally adapted, tailor-made replacements campaigns addressing and
overcoming replacement barriers in ten European pilot regions, while also testing, steering and
improving them on-site, and
to make the project’s findings available for replication in other countries and regions.
REPLACE also addresses fuel poverty and gender issues and reduces the risk of a heating crisis by
supporting the use of regional renewable energy sources (such as solar, ambient heat or biomass) and HC
equipment produced within the EU (biomass boilers, heat pumps, solar collectors etc.).
WHY SHOULD I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM?
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1. WHY SHOULD I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM?
Whether it’s to reduce your carbon footprint on the planet and cut your CO2 emissions, or to save money
on your energy bill, or to become more independent from energy supply and the rising energy costs, or to
be a frontrunner and get the latest available technology, there are many reasons which would justify the
switch from an old and inefficient heating system to a modern renewable one at home.
While at the dawn of the renewable energy era, the technology options were limited and expensive, today
you are spoiled for choice. There is in fact a multitude of affordable and flexible options available on the
market, capable of adapting to everyone’s building type and energy needs.
Before exploring all the available options, let’s look together at the benefits you will grasp from replacing
your heating system with a modern renewable technology or from adopting building refurbishment
measures.
4 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
Environmental benefits
Saving energy may the best option to reduce your carbon footprint and minimise the negative
impact on the environment. Therefore, before any change of your energy system, you should
always consider the option of energetic refurbishment of the building. To further reduce your
carbon footprint, your heating & cooling solutions should use renewable energy sources instead
of fossil fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas.
With an efficient renewable system at home, you will help your region, country, and even the
whole European continent, to reach the ambitious climate and environmental objective of
carbon neutrality in the coming years.
At the same time, you will contribute to the improved air and life quality of your neighbourhood
and city, thus positively affecting health conditions of your fellow citizens.
Economic benefits
If the environmental benefits are not enough to convince you to switch to an efficient renewable
energy system right now, are you aware of all the money you could save on your energy bill by
installing such a heating system in your home? The installation of a new and modern renewable
energy solution avoids using fossil fuels and uses energy in the most efficient way possible. This
means that in order to heat your place, you will consume less energy, while keeping the same
level of warmth and comfort (and often even improving it). And the lower your energy
consumption, the higher your economic benefits.
Renewable heating and cooling systems can reach very high efficiencies. Not only because of
their innovative features and technologies, but also because they are often decentralised energy
solutions. Theis means that they produce the heat you need directly at the place of consumption
(or very close to it) and thus reducing to the minimum all energy losses, which inevitably happen
during the transport of energy from the production point to the consumption point.
Because of their decentralised nature, renewable heating systems can also decrease your
reliance on imported energy such as coal, oil and natural gas.. This would translate into increased
independence from the uncertaincosts of energy in the future and from imports of fossil fuel
from politically unstable regions.
Similarly, many European countries are preparing legislation on carbon pricing systems and on
the phase out of fossil energy sources for residential heating by the end of this decade, or even
earlier. This means that if this is the case in your country, buying i.e. an oil condensing boiler,
even if efficient, would turn up in a short-sighted investment. A renewable heating system will be
instead a safer investment, together with all the advantages which come with it.
And if all of this isn’t enough yet, improving the building shell of your house or equipping it with a
renewable heater, will bring your house to a higher energy efficiency class, thus increasing the
value of your property.
Looking at the big picture, supporting small scale renewable heating systems will not only
benefits your pockets, but would support the European industry at a whole. Small-scale
renewable installations are in fact major job providers and key drivers of the European energy
transition. Firstly, the installation, maintenance and operation of renewable systems areWHY SHOULD I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM? 5
important creators of highly skilled jobs that will make the green economy a local reality 1.
Secondly, they empower territories by creating local jobs, contributing to rural development, and
allowing SMEs business activities, local communities and citizens to supply their heat needs from
local energy sources. By choosing a renewable heating system for your home, you would
therefore help the European Union fulfil its ambitious objective to become the world Number #1
in renewables.
And if the upfront investment required for buying a renewable heating system might look scary,
you are probably not aware of the many incentive schemes available in your region or country on
RES technologies. Such incentives, coupled with the savings on your energy bill, will contribute to
pay back the initial costs of purchase and installation. Have a look at our REPLACE project
technology factsheets or contact your local installer to get to know more about incentives you
can benefit from.
Social benefits
Last but not least, the installation of a modern decentralised heating technology, empowers
energy consumers (households, but also hospitals, public buildings and hotels) to produce their
own sustainable heat from renewable energy sources such as sun, water, biomass, etc. You will
no longer be a passive consumer, but a ‘prosumer’ (a combination of the words ‘producer’ and
‘consumer’), actively contributing to the challenge of decarbonising buildings and to the energy
transition in Europe.
Installing an innovative renewable energy system at your home might make you a frontrunner in
your village or town and you might lead by example convincing other fellow citizens and even
policymakers to adopt a similar solution i.e. in the town hall, in a public school or hospital.
In terms of comfort, modern systems heat your home more evenly and better hold the
temperature in the rooms. They also operate at lower noise levels, so you can enjoy peace and
quiet while staying warm.
Additionally, the latest heating technologies are complemented by innovative and useful
features, which help you make the best use of your system and save more energy, time and
money. For example, today you can control your system directly from an app on your
smartphone, indicating the temperature you would like in each room of your home, or you can
programme the system so that it switches on just before you come back home from work and
switches off when you go to bed – isn’t this just cool?
So, what are you waiting for? You can read more about the renewable heating and cooling technologies
available on the market and find out which ones suit best your building type and your energy needs on the
REPLACE project website.
1 Small is Beautiful Declaration, “Call for a «de minimis» approach on the framework for small renewables & cogeneration
installations” (https://www.solarpowereurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/112017-SMALL-IS-BEAUTIFUL-Declaration.pdf)HOW DO I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM?
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2. HOW DO I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM?
Replacing your heating system is easier said than done. The replacement process can in fact be long and
twisty because of the many competing technologies available on the market today and of the countless
factors to consider, ranging from legislation in your region to energy prices in your country.
There is no silver bullet solution and no system is better than all the others: what is the best option for you,
always depends on your building type, on your energy needs, and on a multiplicity of other factors and
conditions.
This practical manual will guide you step by step through the whole process, advise on how and where to
collect reliable information, and help you to take the best decision for your home and for your energy
needs.HOW DO I REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM? 7
1. Get familiar with the technologies available on the market
There are so many technologies available on the market today to choose from! Not always an
easy task to choose “the one”. None of them is the best of all the others: what is the best option
for you, always depends on your local conditions (e.g. possibility to connect to a district heating
grid or to have wood pellets delivered), building type, on your energy needs, and on a multiplicity
of other factors and conditions. For this reason, we recommend you read the REPLACE
technology factsheets to get to know which are the renewable heating options you can choose
from. The factsheets explain the basics of how they work, tell which building type they suit, and
list their main benefits. Once you acquired familiarity with the ABC of all the alternatives, you can
move on to the next step!
2. Check whether a total or partial insulation of the building shell is needed on top of
a heating system replacement
Replacing your heating system is not always the only and best solution. Sometimes, heating
system replacement goes hand in hand with the insulation of your building’s shell (or of parts of
it) or with other renovation measures. Sometimes, comprehensive building refurbishment
measures might make the replacement of the heating system even useless. In other cases,
renovation measures are made mandatory by the law and you have no other option than to carry
the required measures out. Check with your energy advisers what is the best option for you, but
always remember to take insulation measures into account – especially a thermal insulation of
the uppermost ceiling and, in case of strong wind, a refurbishment of windows.
3. Get in touch with an energy adviser
If you do not have the necessary technical expertise (no worries – who has it?!) to understand all
the technicalities of a heating system replacement, then you might want to ask an expert for
his/her recommendations. The advice of someone with technical expertise will not only make
your life easier, but it will above all ensure that you’re taking the right choice. Heater
replacement is in fact not always the only and the best option: an energy adviser will be able to
assess whether in your specific case a refurbishment of your building would be a more
convenient action instead and will provide you with reliable information. The REPLACE
technology briefs include a list of energy advisers in your region – just get in touch with them for
a preliminary consultation.
P.S. To make your life even easier, you can also take this step as the first one of the whole
replacement process to save time and energy!8 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
4. Estimate the benefits and costs
To understand what technology suits best your energy needs and building type, you can calculate
the costs you will incur and the benefits you will grasp. Costs include i.e. purchase and
installation costs of the system, operating costs, while benefits consist of i.e. expected savings on
the energy bills compared to your current heating system, incentive schemes applicable to your
new system in your region, etc. This will help you understand what technology is the most
advantageous in economic terms in your specific case. You can easily estimate costs and benefits
by using the REPLACE project calculator.
5. Contact an installer
Once you have made your choice on the new heating system to install at home, contact a local
installer (and possibly more than one) for a quote for the purchase of the product and for the
installation costs. The REPLACE technology briefs include a list of useful contacts in your region.
Get in touch with few of them in order to compare their offers, their experience with renewable
energies, and to listen to different experts’ views.
6. Apply for regional/national incentives
Some countries, regions or municipalities offer special incentive schemes to encourage the
market uptake of renewable heating system. These incentives may take the form of reductions
on the purchase cost of the system, or of tax deductions, etc. They will allow to save money on
your up-front investment or on the operating costs of your new system. Check the REPLACE
project technology briefs to find out what schemes are available in your region for each
renewable heating system and how to apply for them. Your energy adviser or local installer will
help you going through the administrative steps required in order to benefit from such public
incentives.
7. Go for it, enjoy and tell others how nice it is!
Once you have taken your decision, buy the product you have chosen from your installer, get it
installed and enjoy the warmth and comfort of your home! And as you can be very proud of your
choice, don’t forget to tell others about your story and to show them your system.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS
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3. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
FROM CONSUMERS
The following pages will answer the questions most frequently asked by consumers undergoing the process
of replacing their heating system or of implementing measures to improve the energy performance of their
house or building.
The questions that will be answered are the following ones:
1. Can I combine multiple heating systems?
2. Is it better to replace my heating system or to insulate/renovate my building?
3. In which cases is improving the energy performance of my building compulsory?
4. What alternative do I have beyond replacement of heating system and building shell
refurbishment?
5. What can I do if my heating system suddenly breaks down?
6. What can I do if I am a tenant or if there are multiple owners in my multi-family house?
7. Why should I invest in a new heating system if I can hardly afford to run my old one?
8. Heating with infrared panels: is the cheapest solution also the best one?
9. Renewable heating systems require much higher up-front costs. Why shouldn’t I buy a fossil fuel
system instead?
10. When replacing my heating system, why should I choose a different technology than the one I had
before?
11. I am heating with electricity. What alternative options do I have, if there is no chimney and no heat
distribution system in the house?
12. Is heating with natural gas better than heating with coal or oil?
13. How can behavioural changes impact my energy consumption?
14. Is biomass sustainable?
15. Is an old inefficient wood stove better than a modern efficient oil boiler?
If you have questions not addressed in this section, you can always contact your local energy adviser or
installer, who will provide you with recommendations on the best option for your energy needs.10 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
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CAN I COMBINE MULTIPLE HEATING SYSTEMS?
When it comes to heating, there are so many solutions out there, that the decision to go with one heating
system or another is not an easy one. Each technology and each energy source have their own advantages
as well as downsides. This has led manufacturers to consider the feasible combinations of existing
technologies and energy sources, in order to maximise their benefits and offset their weaknesses. The
combination of multiple products can in fact be hugely beneficial for end users because it maximises the
overall system energy efficiency, thus reducing energy consumption and operating costs.
When multiple heating technologies partner together, we refer to hybrid heating, defined as “an appliance
or a system of appliances which combine at least two different energy sources and whose operation is
managed by one control2”. Among the hybrid systems, many combinations are possible. For example, an
electric heat pump can be combined with a solar thermal installation, delivering a significant proportion of
a property’s hot water, whether or not the sun is shining and thus reducing the electricity demand on the
heat pump.
Among the hybrid appliances, one of the most common mix is the combination of a solar thermal system,
complemented by a biomass boiler. This mix combines the use of free solar energy, which comes at no cost
on your energy bill. If the sun does not shine, a biomass boiler such as pellet, logwood or woodchips will
guarantee that your home is warm.
You can check all the possible options of renewable “mix and match” in the REPLACE project’s technology
briefs.
Solar thermal collectors installed on the roof of a single-family house
2 EHI, “Heating Technologies: Hybrids” (http://www.ehi.eu/heating-technologies/hybrids/)FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS 11
IS IT BETTER TO REPLACE MY HEATING SYSTEM OR TO
INSULATE/RENOVATE MY BUILDING?
Whether it’s the installation of a new renewable heating system to replace an old inefficient one or of
energy-efficient windows, there is no right or wrong when adopting an environmentally friendly measure.
There are many benefits of improving energy efficiency of your building and using renewable energy
efficiently to heat your home. These include lower energy costs, greater living comfort, a higher property
value, as well as the valuable contribution to climate change mitigation.
Nevertheless, the reduction of energy losses and of heat demand, to be achieved via an improvement of
the thermal quality of the building, should sometimes take priority over other actions, such as the heating
system replacement. For your heat supply at home to be cost-efficient, it might in fact happen to be of
primary importance to first realise the full potential of energy savings. This could be achieved i.e. by
insulating the building envelope (top floor ceiling, basement ceiling and facade) and replacing the old
windows3.
Sometimes, the building’s envelope refurbishment measures go hand in hand with the replacement of the
heating system. In these cases, the energy performance of the house is clearly further improved. It has
been demonstrated that a comprehensive modernisation of older buildings’ energy systems can reduce
their energy consumption by up to 80%.4
In conclusion, even if we can say that the increase in renewable energy use for heating and the
refurbishment of the building stock into energy-efficient buildings are equally important, it is key to always
ask for the expert’s advice on what is the measure which best suit your building and energy needs.
For a better idea of what is the optimal solution for your building, contact your local energy adviser.
Photovoltaic panels integrated in the façade of a building
3 Klimaaktiv, „Renewable Heating“ https://www.klimaaktiv.at/english/renewable_energy/renewable_heating.html)
4 Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg et al. (ifeu) (2011), excluding transport.12 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
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IN WHICH CASES IS IMPROVING
THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF MY BUILDING COMPULSORY?
Regulations governing the design, construction, management and renovation of buildings vary from
country to country in Europe. Nevertheless, all European Member States are subject to the provisions of
the European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)5, including the obligation to prepare their own
long-term renovation strategies.
Based on the requirements of the EPBD, all EU countries must in fact establish a long-term renovation
strategy to support the renovation of their national building stock into a highly energy efficient and
decarbonised building stock by 2050. The strategies shall include, among others, policies and actions to
stimulate cost-effective deep renovation of buildings and to target the worst performing buildings6.
You can contact a local energy adviser to get to know the current legislation in your country regulating the
built environment and find out whether the energy performance of your building is subject to compulsory
improvement measures. The REPLACE project technology factsheets provide you with a list of useful
contacts in your region.
Refurbishment works for insulation of the
rooftop of a single-family house
5 Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the
energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2018.156.01.0075.01.ENG)
6 European Commission, “Long-term renovation strategies” (https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-
efficient-buildings/long-term-renovation-strategies_en)FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS 13
ix
WHAT ALTERNATIVE DO I HAVE BEYOND REPLACEMENT
OF HEATING SYSTEM AND BUILDING SHELL REFURBISHMENT?
The individual refurbishment of your building shell and the replacement of your heating system are just
some of the options you have to reduce the energy consumption for your space heat, and not necessarily
the best ones. Comprehensive refurbishment measures can in fact be disruptive and long-lasting, and the
purchase and installation of a renewable heating system can at times be expensive.
Concerted and collective actions can be less costly and still effective alternatives, with shorter pay-back
times compared to those of the up-front investment in a renewable heating technology. These actions
could consist i.e. in collective purchase of pellets, establishment of energy cooperatives, regular checks of
the heating system, hydraulic balancing by installers, thermal insulation of the uppermost ceiling of your
building, etc. and are to be targeted collectively with the other occupants of the building and/or
neighbouring buildings. Read the REPLACE project report for consumers to find out more about these
options.
Delivery truck supplying wood pellets
to a house14 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
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WHAT CAN I DO IF MY HEATING SYSTEM SUDDENLY BREAKS DOWN?
Prevention is better than healing. If we were all living in an ideal world, everyone would replace their
heating system before it breaks down. The lifetime of every heating system is limited and as our heating
system gets older, it is recommended to increase the frequency of the periodic checks and to listen to the
expert’s assessment when advising to replace our system because it is likely to breakdown soon.
But we do not live in the ideal world and sometimes our heating system suddenly breaks down, leaving us
and our home in the cold. What can we do in such situation? The most straightforward approach (and the
most common one) is to replace it with a new model of the same technology. The new version of our old
heating system might likely be more efficient, but it does not necessarily mean that this is the best and an
environmentally friendly option for our home.
If you had more time to choose, perhaps you would consider a new technology and a fuel switch, you
would collect more information on the available options on the market in your country, better assess what
your needs are, consult few energy advisers and installers, compare several offers, apply for national or
local incentives, and then buy your preferred technology and get it installed. But in the case of a sudden
breakdown, you would not have the time to tick all the recommended items of this checklist (even less so if
the breakdown happens in wintertime). Luckily, nowadays in some countries and regions the market offers
you the chance to get a mobile space heating and domestic hot water preparation device, an innovative
heating unit which temporarily replaces your broken heating system.
Mobile space heating devices range from small units running on electricity to mobile plug-and-play
containers running on the fuel stored in the building, or on pellets or other fuels.
A mobile space heating and domestic hot water device does not only avoid emergency uninformed
replacements and a lock-in effect towards fossil fuel technologies, but it also allows you to take your time
to make the best choice for your household, based on your building type and your needs, while keeping
your home warm and comfortable. In fact, the mobile device ensures that the disruptions linked to the
replacement of your boiler and the interruption of heating and hot water do not last more than just a few
hours (less than the time it takes for the building to cool down), meaning that it would allow you a
replacement even during wintertime.
At the same time, the mobile space heating device also alleviates the problem of the shortage of
professionals skilled with installation of renewable heating solutions, allowing them more time to satisfy all
the requests of their customers, while ensuring they do not suffer any disruption.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS 15
ix
WHAT CAN I DO IF I AM A TENANT OR IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE
OWNERS IN MY MULTI-FAMILY HOUSE?
Replacing an old and inefficient heating system with a modern renewable one is clearly a long-term
investment which may require significant upfront costs and long-lasting payback times.
Tenants renting an apartment or a house for a limited amount of time are therefore often reluctant to
commit to such investment, similarly to the landlord owner of the building, who is normally supposed to
bear the costs for the replacement of the heating system of his/her property, without directly reaping the
benefits of such replacement.
Nevertheless, they probably do not know that the replacement of the heating system would be beneficial
for both parts. On the tenants’ side, they would benefit from lower energy bills, while the owner would see
an increase in the value of the property, led by an increase in the energy class of the house. Last but not
least, everyone would benefit from the equally important environmental and social benefits listed in
Chapter 1 of the REPLACE project report for consumers. For all these benefits, the tenant shall accept an
increase in the rent costs, if the owner decides to invest in renewable and efficient heating measures.
A similar stalemate problem occurs in multi-family houses and buildings. Some actions, such as the thermal
insulation of the uppermost ceiling, the improvement of the building shell, hydraulic balancing simple boiler
checks and building refurbishment measures in general are collective actions whose costs are to be born by
all the occupants of the building and which therefore shall be agreed by everyone in advance. Like the
replacement of the heating system, these collective measures also bring improved energy efficiency of the
building and energy savings, from which all the occupants will benefit in economic and environmental
terms.
Dialogue between tenants and owners and among all the owners of a multi-family house is therefore key to
ensure that everyone properly understands the benefits coming from the adoption of environmentally
friendly measures related to heating and cooling.
Wood pellets boiler for a single-family house16 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
ix
WHY SHOULD I INVEST IN A NEW HEATING SYSTEM
IF I CAN HARDLY AFFORD TO RUN MY OLD ONE?
The average product lifetime of a heating system in Europe is assessed at 24 years7. When the system gets
too old, it might become more convenient to replace it with a new one instead of spending money in
reparations, still running the risk of a sudden and definitive breakdown in winter.
If on the one hand it is true that buying a new heating system can be very costly, on the other hand it is also
true that modern heating systems are much more efficient than the old ones: new systems can heat the
same space by consuming less energy, thus resulting in lower energy bills. This decrease in the energy costs
will ensure that in a few years’ time the initial investment is paid back.
On the contrary, old and inefficient heating systems can be the cause of energy poverty. Energy poverty,
defined as the “inability to keep homes adequately warm8”, is a widespread issue in Europe, affecting
between 50 and 125 million people, and one of its causes is to be found in the high energy costs of
inefficient and old heating systems at home, which consume high amount of energy to heat, therefore
resulting into higher energy bills.
On top of the lower energy costs and of the payback, many countries and regions across Europe offer
special incentives to end-users willing to buy a renewable heating system (i.e. tax returns, feed-in-tariffs,
etc.) which can lower the up-front cost and reduce the payback time.
Some frontrunners countries are even considering establishing public funds to take over liability for bank
loans to socially vulnerable households, for whom subsidies are not enough to finance the initial
investment and who would otherwise not get access to those loans.
Check out the REPLACE’s projects technology briefs to find out what are the incentive schemes available in
your region for heating systems replacement.
7 European Commission, “Space and combination heaters – Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Review Study: Task 2 Market Analysis”,
July 2019 (https://www.ecoboiler-review.eu/Boilers2017-
2019/downloads/Boilers%20Task%202%20final%20report%20July%202019.pdf)
8 European Commission, “Energy Poverty” (https://ec.europa.eu/energy/content/share-households-expenditure-electricity-gas-
and-other-housing-fuels_en)FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS 17
ix
HEATING WITH INFRARED PANELS:
IS THE CHEAPEST SOLUTION ALSO THE BEST ONE?
Every heating system has advantages and disadvantages and there is no one-size-fits all solution which can
be elected as the best of all in absolute terms. What is the best technology for your home depends on the
type of building, on your energy needs, on the region where you live, on the costs of energy fuels in your
country, and on many other factors.
As all the heating technologies available on the market, also infrared panels have their pros and cons9.
Infrared heaters are electrical resistance heaters. This means that they convert electricity into radiation
energy, which is absorbed by the objects and persons in the room. Among the advantages of infrared
heating panels, we can list the following ones:
Low investment costs: the infrared heating panels require a much lower upfront cost compared to
other renewable or highly efficient heating technologies.
Quick installation: the panels are a plug-and-play heating solution and there is no need for any
pipework. They can be mounted on the wall or on the ceiling, even without the intervention of an
expert.
Very little maintenance required: there are no moving parts and there is no motor to wear out or
air filters to replace, which also means that infrared heating panels are very quiet in operation and
can be used in bedrooms.
No fireplace or storage space required: infrared heating panels save space in the room because
they are preferably mounted on the ceiling or on the walls.
High efficiency and no significant distribution losses within the building: infrared heaters can
achieve a share of heat radiation of up to 60%, compared to the 20% to 40% of conventional
radiators.
If all the above points hold true, the disadvantages of infrared heating panels are not missing though:
As infrared heating panels run on electricity, operating costs can be significantly higher than for
systems with central heat generators.
Losses in the generation, storage and transportation of electricity.
High carbon footprint, depending on how the electricity they run on is generated (whether it is
renewable electricity or not).
9 Energie Tirol, Richtig Wohnen: Infrarotheizung (https://www.energie-tirol.at/wissen/richtige-heizung/infrarotheizung/)18 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
Infrared heating panels are usually not a stand-alone technology: an additional system for space
heating and for the production of domestic hot water is needed.
High temperature of the plates: infrared heaters can heat up to 100°C, thus causing risk of burns.
Before replacing your heating system, you should always collect information on what is the best option for
your household and possibly consult your local energy adviser or installer for the expert’s advice.
Read Chapter 2 of the REPLACE project report for end consumers to find out what are the steps to follow
when installing a new heating system.
Infrared heating panels mounted on the
https://plusheat.ie/product/aluminium-infrared-heating-panels/ wall of the living roomFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS 19
ix
RENEWABLE HEATING SYSTEMS
REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER UP-FRONT COSTS.
WHY SHOULDN’T I BUY A FOSSIL FUEL SYSTEM INSTEAD?
One of the reasons why consumers hesitate to buy a modern renewable heating system, can be explained
by the higher up-front investment required by the purchase and installation of a renewable technology
compared to one running on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, modern and renewable heating systems reach high
levels of energy efficiency, thus providing you with the same level of warmth and comfort as those of a
non-renewable heater but in many cases using less fuel.
At the same time, relying on renewable energy to heat your home decreases your dependency on the
uncertain but rising costs of fossil fuels, as your system will run on a cheaper (and greener) source of
energy.
The decrease in energy consumption will translate into a decrease of costs in your energy bills.
The savings on the energy bills will pay-off the initial investment for the purchase and installation of the
renewable system normally in few years time.
The pay-back time can vary depending on many factors: initial capital cost of the product, energy costs in
your region, energy consumption, etc. It can be accelerated by the availability of incentive schemes in your
country, region or municipality, which can i.e. reduce the up-front costs of purchase and/or installation or
reward you with a tax deduction.
When considering a long-term investment like the purchase of a new heating system for your home, you
should not forget the legislative measures planned in your region for the near future. The lifetime of a
heating system spans between twenty and thirty years, but there are more and more countries in Europe
preparing legislation on carbon pricing or to ban residential heating running on fossil fuels by the end of
this decade, or even earlier. i.e. if your country is planning to phase out oil or natural gas for residential
heating, you might want to reconsider the choice to buy i.e. a natural gas or an oil condensing boiler now. A
renewable heating system will be instead a safer investment, together with all the advantages which come
with it.
To get more familiar with the benefits of a renewable heating system compared to a fossil fuel one, you can
read Chapter 1 of the REPLACE project report for end-users.20 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
ix
WHEN REPLACING MY HEATING SYSTEM,
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE A DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY
THAN THE ONE I HAD BEFORE?
It frequently happens that the replacement of the heating system in households is done in emergency
situations because of a sudden breakdown of the old system. Therefore, the residential heating sector
experiences a tendency for a lock-in effect towards technologies running on fossil fuels. It means that in
case of an emergency replacement, households tend to replace their old heating system with a new model
of the same technology (i.e. old gas boilers are often replaced by new gas boilers, etc.). This lock-in effect
clearly disincentives the uptake of renewable technologies for residential heating. But there are many
reasons why you should prefer a renewable heating system to a non-renewable one. You can find a
comprehensive list of reasons related to environmental, economic and social benefits in Chapter 1 of the
REPLACE project report for end-users.
In case you lack the time to document yourself on the best renewable heating option for your home
because of a sudden and unexpected breakdown of your heating system, you can temporarily resort to a
mobile space heating and domestic hot water device. Mobile space heating devices range from small units
running on electricity to mobile plug-and-play containers running on the fuel stored in the building, or on
pellets or other fuels. The mobile device ensures that the disruptions linked to the replacement of your
boiler and the interruption of heating and hot water do not last more than just a few hours (less than the
time it takes for the building to cool down), meaning that it would allow you a replacement even during
wintertime. You will find additional information on these units in the factsheets of the REPLACE project
report for consumers.
And probably, one of the reasons for which you did not choose a renewable heating system ten years ago is
also that back then heating systems running on renewable energy sources were much less widespread on
the market and much more expensive. Nowadays things have changed: the large-scale deployment of
renewable heating systems brought the production costs and consequently the prices for consumers down.
You can now buy a renewable heater for a reasonable price, benefit from public incentives, and grasp
benefits of economic, environmental and social nature.
Old inefficient wood-burning stoveFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS 21
Ix
I AM HEATING WITH ELECTRICITY.
WHAT ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS DO I HAVE, IF THERE IS NO CHIMNEY
AND NO HEAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN THE HOUSE?
In many countries there are single-family or multi-family houses that are equipped either with electrical
storage heating systems for space heating (with night-time heat storage or electric radiators with fireclay
storage cores or water-filled cores) and domestic hot water preparation with electricity-heated
decentralized hot water storage or with instantaneous water heaters near the respective water taps.
The principle of modern electrical heating system is very simple: using a storage device, e.g. of a fireclay
storage core inside the electric heater, the external radiators made of steel (partly also enameled) are
evenly heated. Night-time storage heaters are also widespread in old buildings, but their use has decreased
over the years because of the detrimental effects on health of asbestos – which is commonly found in
night-time storage heaters. Additionally, nowadays electricity in the secondary tariff or at night is often no
longer as cheap as in the past, when night storage heaters (also from an energy point of view - to support
band-type electricity generation from large power plants) were still subsidized.
The initial investment costs of direct electricity heating systems are rather low, because it does not require
a water-based heat distribution and delivery system in the house (i.e. piping and radiators). However,
depending on the thermal quality of the building envelope and on the climatic conditions, it can result in
very high electricity consumption and, consequently, high heating costs. In addition, during the heating
season high electricity loads are required from fluctuating renewable sources (such as solar or wind power,
or also hydropower, which is generally scarcer in winter due to lower water flow). If to meet the peak
demand, the electricity is generated from coal, oil or natural gas (still very common, especially in winter),
then the carbon footprint of direct electricity heating is extremely high, and it results in harmful emissions
of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
As an alternative to direct electricity heating, there are two options for homes without a fireplace and a
chimney: a district heating connection, or a heat pump.
In both systems, however, it will be necessary to install a hot water distribution system to distribute the
heat to the heat dissipation systems. In the case of heat pumps, in particular, it is important to ensure that
the upper temperature level is as low as possible in the heat output system (e.g. using subsequently
installed underfloor heating or radiators with a correspondingly large surface). This is particularly important
in the case of air heat pumps, as the lower the temperature difference between the heat source (outside
air) and the room temperature, the higher is the efficiency.
From an ecological and economic point of view, entire or partial renovation of the building envelope is
recommended in both cases. Individual components should in any case be thermally improved, where this22 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
can be carried out cost-effectively, such as on the top floor ceiling or if it is also for comfort purposes (i.e.
drafty windows) convenience. In the case of a good building envelope and milder climatic conditions,
individual (possibly also connected) rooms can be heated using fan coils in the case of a heat pump (also
without radiators or surface heating or in addition to these). In warmer climatic zones, a heat pump has the
advantage that the heated rooms can also be air-conditioned in the summer. In the case of the outdoor
units of air source heat pumps, attention must be paid to the creation of noise at the place of installation
(e.g. external facade in the inner courtyard or roof area) and compliance with the standards, as well as the
prevention of related neighborhood conflicts. If the on-site conditions allow it, groundwater or soil (surface
collector or deep borehole) can also be considered as a heat source for the heat pump. These variants are
more expensive to buy but can be cheaper in terms of operating costs (due to higher efficiency).
An example of a gas boiler which was replaced by an air heat pump in a multi-apartment building can be
found in the report on best practice examples of the REPLACE project (see heat pump in Zagreb’s Upper
Town courtyard). Measures like those implemented in this example should be carried out also in the case of
a replacement of a direct heating system.
If in addition to the hot water distribution and heat dissipation system, the installation of a fireplace and
chimney is considered (e.g. on the outside of the facade, if possible under building regulations), then the
building's own central heating systems, e.g. on the basis of pellets, logs or wood chips, can be used as a
replacement for direct electricity heating. In this case, it is advisable to examine a comprehensive or at
least partial thermal renovation of the building envelope.
Finally, it is always recommended to consult an independent energy consultant or an installer for more
detailed and case-specific information.
Building’s connection to a district heating network
with a heat exchangerFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FROM CONSUMERS 23
Ix
IS HEATING WITH NATURAL GAS BETTER
THAN HEATING WITH COAL OR OIL?
Natural gas, coal and oil are all fossil fuels and all non-renewable energy sources. In boilers running on gas,
coal, or oil, normally heat is produced by a process of combustion of the fuel. Fossil-fuel combustion is also
one of the main sources of the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants that drive climate
change10.
When replacing your heating system, the biggest environmental benefits cannot be grasped by switching
from a fossil fuel to another, but only switching from a fossil fuel to a renewable one.
Even if it is sometimes stated that the whole lifecycle carbon emissions of natural gas is lower than that of
other fossil fuels, this is sometimes also questioned in the scientific discussion. In any case, the
environmental footprint of a renewable heating system is generally lower than that of other competitors
running on fossil fuel. This clearly means that switching to a less emissions-intensive fossil fuel (i.e. from
coal or oil to gas) does not provide a long-term answer to climate change. This answer is only provided by
renewable energy.
Crude oil pump in operation
10 “Fuel combustion and fugitive emissions from fuels (without transport)’ was responsible for 54 % of EU-28 greenhouse gas
emissions in 2017.”: Eurostat, Greenhouse gas emission statistics – emission inventories, 2019
(https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/pdfscache/1180.pdf)24 RENEWABLE HEATING & COOLING REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
FOR END CONSUMERS
ix
HOW CAN BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES IMPACT
MY ENERGY CONSUMPTION?
Energy savings do not always require significant investments of capital. Sometimes, it is enough to follow
some simple tips and to adopt environmentally friendly habits to save up to 20% on your energy
consumption for home heating11.
Few examples from our list of recommendations include the following12:
Adjust the room temperature: it is enough to lower the temperature of just one degree in the room
in order to achieve 6% energy savings.
Get the right humidity level in the room: at equal temperature levels, dry air is perceived as colder
than moist air. The optimal level of humidity in the room should be between 30% and 55%.
Close the doors to not disperse the heat into colder rooms and close shutters, which are an
additional heat protection, especially in buildings with bad windows.
Lower the temperature at night, especially if your home gets warm again quickly in the morning.
Do not heat cellars and garage: they are usually poorly insulated and that is why the energy
consumption in there is usually three to four times that of a living room. If the rooms are not used,
you should avoid heating them.
Ventilate the room by opening the windows, during the right time. Ventilate minimum 10 minutes,
preferably during the day in winter and during the night in summer. When more people are at
home, longer ventilation times are suggested. This allows fresh air to enter the room and avoid
cooling: the colder the outside temperature, the shorter the ventilation time.
Install seals or replace the old ones: old windows and doors can be the cause of drafts and heat
losses. Installing gaskets saves energy costs and increases comfort.
When and where possible, install thermostats and control systems, like valves on the radiators to
set the desired temperature, radiator thermostats which quickly react to temperature changes in
the room, radiator thermostats with time programming functions and/or individual to each room.
Remove objects which might cover the radiators (i.e. curtains on a wall radiator, carpets on the
floor heating) and regularly clean the radiators from dust.
11 Energie Tirol, „20% Heizkosten sparen“, (https://www.energie-
tirol.at/uploads/tx_bh/energie_tirol_handbuch_heizkosten_sparen.pdf)
12 Ibidem.You can also read
